Since the beginning of the war, the role of women in Ukraine has changed dramatically. Each of them has to act, protect their loved ones and at the same time support their community, city and country. Women are now not only in the rear, they are on the front lines, in politics, business, and the public sector.
We spoke with Natalia Choban, a dentist, Founder of the charitable foundation “CORP32” and Head of the Department of Women’s People’s Diplomacy of Ukraine for International Relations. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, she has been volunteering to help the military and IDPs in the dental field.
The main thing is to return a healthy smile
T.S.: Can you tell us about your own dental initiative to help the military and IDPs with acute pain? How many people have you managed to help?
N.C.: On February 24, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of my country. Thousands of Ukrainian families were forced to flee their homes to escape the horrors of war.
Despite all the difficulties, I continued to work as a dentist and became active in public and volunteer activities.
I decided to stay in Ukraine and, as a volunteer of the humanitarian headquarters at the regional military administration, attracted international support for our common misfortune. My initiative was born out of a desire to support those who need help the most – the military and women with children who were forced to leave their homes because of the war. From the moment the initiative was launched to the present day, I have already helped more than 150 people. Of course, each case is unique, but for me the main thing is to return a healthy smile to as many people as possible.
Т.S.: How does the process work (do people come to you or do you come to them)?
N.C.: At the moment, dental care is provided at the clinic in Odesa. It is important that people come not just for treatment, but to a place where they are greeted with warmth and understanding. The process is organized to ensure maximum comfort. I plan my time in advance for the military and IDPs, because I want to pay more attention to these people to avoid queues and unnecessary stress.
We treat children with special care. The clinic has special gifts for them after treatment so that young patients feel free and not afraid of the process, and we always treat them in the format of a game that makes them fall in love with dentistry. Each appointment is more than just a medical procedure. It is an opportunity to help a person feel that they are not alone, that they are valued and supported.
Lack of staff and resources
T.S.: What problems have you faced in the course of such volunteer work? Does the state help you?
N.C.: Lack of qualified personnel and resources to provide comprehensive assistance are the biggest problems, and therefore the challenges to fully address the incoming requests. International grants and involvement of sponsors are relevant to address these issues.
T.S.: In your opinion, should the dental industry be free for the military? If not, would it be appropriate to introduce various benefits and what kind of benefits?
N.C.: I am convinced that basic dental care should be free of charge for the military, because they risk their lives for our security. At the same time, for more complex or aesthetic procedures, it would be appropriate to introduce preferential programs, such as partial compensation from the state or social packages for veterans.
Т.S.: Are there any peculiarities that a doctor working with military personnel who have returned from hot spots should pay attention to?
N.C.: Yes, working with the military requires not only professionalism but also empathy. They often return with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which affects their emotional state. I believe that it is also important to create adaptive conditions for people with disabilities. This is an important component of inclusive medicine, particularly in dentistry. This includes providing access to clinics, specialized equipment that allows us to provide services to patients with reduced mobility, as well as training medical staff to work with such patients.
Т.S.: Can state medicine currently cover the dental needs of all civilians and military personnel? Is the quality of such services sufficient?
N.C.: Unfortunately, the state system cannot always respond promptly to all requests. Private initiatives also create conditions for innovation by introducing new technologies and treatment methods that help people with special needs to receive quality medical care.
Thus, volunteer and private projects not only complement public healthcare, but sometimes become the main source of assistance in critical situations.
Т.S.: What problems do you see in medical care for our military today, and what are the ways to solve them?
N.C.: The main problems are insufficient funding, lack of qualified specialists, and the absence of a coordinated system of rehabilitation after returning from the front. These problems can be solved by increasing public investment in healthcare, creating specialized centers for the military, and engaging international friends to support and share experiences.
What’s next
Т.S.: Do you plan to expand your volunteer activities? Do you have any new projects or collaborations planned?
N.C.: Yes, we are actively working on expanding our initiative and are open to cooperation with other organizations and charitable foundations. We believe that together with our partners we will be able to reach even more people in need of dental care.
Cooperation with psychologists is also a priority – we want each of our patients to receive not only physical but also emotional mental recovery.
We are always open to new ideas and initiatives. If you have any suggestions for cooperation or see opportunities for joint projects, we will be happy to discuss them and find a way to help even more people. Together we can create a systematic approach to medical support for those who need it most.
As a dentist, a volunteer, and above all a human being, I see the invaluable contribution of medical care to the process of physical, psychological, and wellness recovery of these people.
In my opinion, the health of the nation is the foundation of a healthy economy and society. Today, as the Head of the Department of Women’s People’s Diplomacy of Ukraine for International Relations, I participate in summits and events, calling on international partners to cooperate.
We need joint efforts, pooling resources, knowledge and experience. We need to work together on projects aimed at rehabilitating veterans and rebuilding medical and social infrastructure.
T.S.: What can you say about the role of women in business during the war?
N.C.: Ukrainian women today are incredible in their resilience and strength, because they have taken on the role of defenders not only on the front line, where the “steel defenders” of our country stand every day, but also in the rear. They have become those who lead, make decisions and are responsible for the security, support and development of their communities. Many of them have taken on leadership responsibilities usually performed by men, demonstrating confidence, management skills and the ability to make decisions in the here and now.
At this crucial time, women are not only strengthening their leadership skills, but also creating new standards of governance, where strength, flexibility and humanity are at the forefront. Her determination and ability to act with heart but with a cold mind help to restore and unite society, forming a reliable rear for the future generation.
Tetiana Stelmakh
